Congratulations to Ballinaspeaig Parish in Dennehy’s Cross, Cork, on winning an Eco-Congregation Ireland award!
The parish’s Faith in Action Group has spearheaded a number of eco initiatives in recent years, following a discussion forum they held on Fr Seán McDonagh’s book, To Care for the Earth, in 2006.
The initiatives, which have been aimed at promoting environmental awareness and responsibility for planet earth, have included holding a Lenten series entitled ‘Creation Matters: Our World in Our Hands’ and including regular articles and eco tips in the parish bulletin.
Guest speakers have been invited to address various environmental aspects, including sustainable living.
As well as holding a Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration and Sharing, events have been held to mark World Environment Day and Earth Hour.
The group has distributed acorns, bulbs and seeds to parishioners and to pupils in local schools.
During 2013, to mark the Year of Faith, parishioners were invited to gather in their communities for Masses celebrated outdoors in eight parish areas.
Ballinspeaig was the first church in Ireland to become a Fairtrade Parish* and the Faith in Action Group continues to promote Fairtrade in the local community and to resident businesses.
The parish raises funds for its twin parish – Turkwell – in Kenya. To date, funds have gone towards well-boring, irrigation, solar panels and a health clinic.
The group has not only worked hard promoting the belief that Creation matters but has also assisted other parishes in the formation of similar parish initiatives.
Presenting the parish with the ECI award, Sr Catherine Brennan, ECI’s Catholic representative, said: “Our world needs a transformation that is environmental, social and spiritual. The ministry of The Faith in Action group in this parish has been doing just this work of transformation in a holistic and integrated way with creativity, positive energy and joy. Yours is a hopeful witness in our world”.
One of the two independent assessors who visited Ballinaspeaig said: “The Ballineaspaig Faith in Action Group was a joy to meet. They obviously work well together and enjoy what they are doing …. The enthusiasm cannot but spill out on the parishioners and others with 
whom they come in contact.
“This is a church with an active and committed group spearheading their environmental activities. They are fully aware of environmental issues and are working together effectively to improve environmental practice both in the church and in people’s everyday lives. They are following the ECI programme very much in their own way and I am sure they will build on what they have already started.”
You can find out more about Ballinaspeaig Parish’s eco activities here.